Obituaries – 6/13/12

Published 9:30 am Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Joyce Sprouse

Joyce Dair Sprouse (nee: Lavender), 75 years of age, and a resident of Elyria went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Monday, June 11, 2012, at her home, surrounded by her family.

She was born Sept. 29, 1936, in Ironton. Joyce was raised and lived in Ironton before moving to Elyria where she had made her home for the last 47 years.

Her primary focus in life was that of being a homemaker. Joyce attended West Ridge Enterprise Baptist Church in Amherst. She was a member of Ohio Furnace Enterprise Baptist Church in Ironton. Joyce loved being active at church with the ladies circle and singing. In her younger years, she worked in customer service for Midway Mall in Elyria. Her greatest joy was being a wife, mother and grandmother.

She will be missed by her husband of 55 years, Phillip David Sprouse; her daughter and her husband, Sherri and Terry Butcher of Elyria; grandson, TJ Butcher; her brothers and their wives, Earl and Catherine Lavender, Jr. of Ashland, Ky., the Rev. Larry and Patricia Lavender, the Rev. Roger and Sheri Lavender both of Franklin Furnace; her sisters and their husbands, Patricia and Gary Gannon of Franklin, Furnace, Linda and Donald Corn of Elyria and Donna and Thomas Spergin of Haverhill.

She was preceded in death by her parents, the Rev. Earl and Goldie Lavender, Sr. (nee: Adkins).

Friends may call 1-2 p.m. Friday at the Ohio Furnace Enterprise Baptist Church; 3132 Haverhill Ohio Furnace Road, Ironton, OH 45638. Burial will be in Buckeye Cemetery, Ironton, Ohio.

Additional information and online register book are available at www.hempelfuneralhome.com.

Elizabeth Cremeans

Elizabeth B. Cremeans 73, of Marysville, passed away Saturday, June 9, 2012, at Heartland of Marysville. The Lawrence County, native was born Oct. 23, 1938, the daughter of the late John and Grace Null Tibbs.

Mrs. Cremeans was a 1956 graduate of Rock Hill High School and was the former owner and manager of O.K. Motors in Dayton. She was also of the Baptist faith.

In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband, Roy Cremeans; a daughter, Jolinda Tibbs; two brothers, Donald Tibbs and Albert Tibbs and two brothers-in-law, Charles Blankenship and Bob Lewis.

She is survived by three sisters and a brother-in-law, Sara Lewis of Dayton, Margaret and Cecil Chatfield of New Carlisle, and Virginia Blankenship of New Carlisle; a special niece, Lavena and Bobby Barrett of West Mansfield; two great nephews, Kevin Barrett and Michael and Anna Barrett; a great great nephew, Zachariah Barrett and several other nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be 3 p.m. today at Phillips Funeral Home, 1004 South Seventh Street, Ironton, with Pastor Michael Barrett officiating. Burial will follow in Hecla Cemetery. Visitation will be 2-3 p.m. today at the funeral home. To offer condolences to the family, please visit www.phillipsfuneralhome.net.

Donald Lowe

Donald Terry Lowe, 62, of Ironton, died Tuesday, June 12, 2012, at his residence. He was the husband of Connie Lowe, who survives. Arrangements are pending at Phillips Funeral Home.

Ruby Justice

Ruby Justice, 83, of Ironton, died Tuesday, June 12, 2012, at Community Hospice Care Center in Ashland, Ky. Arrangements are pending at Phillips Funeral Home.